Exiles Hand Leinster Home Defeat

Leinster finished their pre-season campaign with a 24-8 defeat to London Irish in a physical encounter in front of a packed Donnybrook Stadium on Friday evening.

Speaking after the match, Leinster coach Michael Cheika commented: "London Irish are a quality team and you don't finish in second place in the Guinness Premiership unless you're a quality outfit.

"I thought that we did okay in the second half, but there's a long way to October (the Heineken Cup first round game).

"We're probably behind the likes of the Scarlets (in terms of preparation) but we have to prep ourselves next week for a tough game in Wales."

OZO man-of-the-match Isa Nacewa touched down with the opening score of the match after some smart interplay with Shane Horgan in the fourth minute.

But three Ryan Lamb penalties - after 10, 20 and 26 minutes - pushed the visitors into a 9-5 advantage.

There were some impressive cameos for the hosts in the first half with back rowers Stephen Keogh and Sean O'Brien showing real aggression alongside the industrious Shane Jennings.

Though Leinster threatened sporadically, it was the Exiles who showed greater potency in attack and they chalked upa Steffon Armitage try (34 minutes) and a penalty try, which Lamb converted into the Wesley end, to thank for their 21-5 half-time lead.

Leinster made a raft of substitutions in the second half as a number of players from Ireland's successful Churchill Cup campaign made their first starts of the season.

A Jonathan Sexton penalty on 58 minutes was just reward for a spell of Leinster pressure.

Fergus McFadden made a string of daring breaks, while replacement Kevin McLaughlin also impressed in the second half.

Nonetheless, a late Lamb penalty restored London Irish's 16-point advantage and though the result was disappointing, it was a good physical workout for Cheika's squad ahead of the start of the Magners League campaign next weekend.

The countdown is on to the Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23. Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens & Women's Rugby, previews what promises to be an exciting couple of days.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Jenny Murphy talks about the progress made by the Ireland Women's Sevens team and their pool draw for the upcoming Women's Sevens Dublin tournament in UCD on August 22-23.

Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available to buy here - http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Womens-Sevens-Series-tickets/artist/2134381?tm_link=artist_artistvenue_module.

Conor Murray and Tommy Bowe speak to Irish Rugby TV about their Rugby World Cup preparations and thank the thousands of supporters who came out to see the players at the open training session at the Sportsground.

Ireland captain Paul O'Connell gives his verdict on the team's new Rugby World Cup jersey and talks about his move to French club Toulon. Ireland's RWC 2015 range is available to pre-order now from http://shop.irishrugby.ie.

Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens, talks about the target of a top three finish for both the Ireland Men and Women in Lisbon this weekend, as they continue on their quests for Olympic qualification.

Tom Daly, who recently captained the Ireland Men's Sevens team to the European Division C and B titles, is looking forward to playing in this weekend's Rugby Europe Olympic Repechage tournament in Lisbon, Portugal.

Ireland will host the 'Women's Sevens Dublin' at UCD on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23. Tournament director Garrett Tubridy and Ireland stars Lucy Mulhall, Jenny Murphy and Louise Galvin speak about their excitement ahead of the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series qualifier.

Coach Allen Clarke and stand-in captain Billy Holland answer questions from the media following Emerging Ireland's 45-12 victory over Georgia in the final round of their successful Tbilisi Cup campaign.

Emerging Ireland coach Allen Clarke speaks about his side's five-try 33-7 win over Uruguay in the Tbilisi Cup and the first half injury to captain Rhys Ruddock. They wrap up the tournament against hosts Georgia on Sunday.

Speaking about the floods that occurred following the Tbilisi Cup's first round, Emerging Ireland team manager Joey Miles said: "A natural event like that, a tragedy like that puts the game of rugby into perspective. We express our regrets to the Georgian people and the Georgian Union for the terrible tragedy that they had."

David O'Reilly from the IRFU Charitable Trust's Corporate Patrons Committee speaks about the new scheme which provides businesses with unique networking opportunities and provides a platform for companies to effectively activate their CSR programmes. For further information, please contact Linda Black of the Charitable Trust - telephone (01) 6473866 or email: linda.black@irfu.ie / http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/34728.php.